PARKS NEWS

Young Female Visitor Sustains Minor Injuries While Feeding Wild Horse at Wild Horse Island State Park -Montana State Parks Reminds Public Not to Approach or Feed Park Animals

(Big Arm, MT) –Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) announced today that a young female visitor sustained minor injuries while hand feeding fruit to a wild horse at Wild Horse Island State Park on Sunday, August 17.

According to Fish, Wildlife & Parks Warden Brian Schwartz the young female was treated at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson, Montana for the injuries. The girl has been released. FWP Investigator Brian Sommers stated that it appears that one of the horses struck the girl in the back with a hoof, knocking her to the ground. She sustained a bruise to her back and abrasions on her face as a result of the incident. The investigation is on-going.

Montana State Parks reminds visitors that all of the animals on Wild Horse Island are wild and people should not approach them. Feeding animals is prohibited in the park. If the horses approach you waive your arms, yell at the horses and make every attempt to avoid the horses and any physical contact. Montana State Parks asks visitors to report anyone observed feeding the horses or other animals on the island as soon as possible to 1-800-TIP-MONT.

Join us in celebrating Montana State Parks 75th Anniversary in 2014! Visit Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) and enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, boating and more and discover some of the greatest natural and cultural treasures on earth.